Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-01-27

Us, Nec4utiousiy appfoacned the shore
with sail all slowed and oars we'll
muffied. A wholesome consciousness
that to be heard or seen would bring
instant rstribution in the form Of a
shot from a blockadsr. kept US ALSO
iutely silent while we slipped in be-
tween two vessels Of the squadron and
gained the shore in safety. 1t was
close upon midnight when our keel
grated upon the pebbles. and sprang
into the water and wading ashore
shouted aloud my own welcome,
Maryland. my Maryland" We
sought shelter at farmhouse close at
hand. to which We had been directed
by our skipper. The farmer proved
crusty and unsympathetic, disinclined
to receive US since it involved the ne.
cessity of report to headquarters at
Leonardtown.
remained in the Background hop
ing the colloquy might end favorably
without my interference. but finding
that unlikely determined to resume
some of the authority of which captiv-
ity had for months deprived me. I
stepped forward and in the midst of
Farmer Thompson's surly and persis-
tent refusal transformed him with q
phrase. II am an officer of the United
States. In the name Of that power |
take possession of this house. Let
these people enter" 1t was enough
and secured US not only welcome, but
an almost cringing subservisnce. We
had landed at st. Clements bay, and
learning that the nearest outpost was
two miles beyond its furthest shore, /
obtained from Thompson one OF his
servants as a guide and pushed on,
reaching this point about 2 A.. NJ. The
patrol, as it proved to be, was in charge
of sergeant who had served under
Mcdowell in Virginia, and a lively
comparison of notes disclosed the fact,
though unknown TO each other, we had
shared more than one long march un-
der the same commander. I was
treated with marked politeness and the
sergeant sent me on to Leonardtown to
his superior officer. with an escort
BETTING my rank" That was the ser
sesnt's graceful and delicate way of
putting it. but TO the unprejudiced
eye l rode into headquarters in charge
of corporal's guard.
Ny explanations to the lieutenant
proved so satisfactory that after fur
nishing me with money, clothing,
horses and two orderlies he forwarded
me to Point Lookout. whence l took
steamer for Washington, reaching that
city late on Saturday night. Main
tanning absolute silence as to my iden- |
tity and circumstances, sought the !
War Office early on Sunday morning |
and was refused admittance, together
with General Meade, who also awaited
audience. Writing upon a card my
name, rank and address, adding only
the words, Just from Richmond" |
tnrned to depart. but had scarcely
gone a hundred feet when l was hur-
riedly overtaken and ushered with
scant ceremony into the presence of
the great War Secretary, Edwin NJ.
Stanton. I stated why / was there,
aud question followed question. Mr.. !
Lincoln entered the room, and l had
the great honor Of detailing my story
in the presence of the most remarkable
man of his age. Except as guard of
honor over his dead body this was the |
only time / ever saw Mr.. Lincoln, but
his kindly voice as he said to me,
Captain, you have done well" re-
mains with me sacred memory, and
made that my hour of triumph and |
reward. Nor shall I ever forget how
suaye could be that austere Secretary,
who, placing his hand on my should
er, said in hearty commendation, You
are the most valuable man We have
ever had from Richmond yet" Grim
autocrat as he was and a master mind
in Cabinet of mental giants, ne could
be very gentle when it so pleased him.
| felt in those words greater recon-
pense than gold can give.
A thousand subsequent events
proved that the Dahlgren Fitzpatrick
raid followed closely many suggestions
made by me during that interview.
To this day I feel sure tina. had col
umu of light cavalry been moved by
transports to a point on the Kappa
honnoek near Tappahannock, and
thence marched over the route had
myself traverssd they could have
struck the Orange and Alexandra
railroad and so destroyed it as to prA
vent relief by Lee.